This morning we are considering the Supernatural Stream of God’s Peace & Rest
The question is: Can we experience perfect peace?
People have been searching for peace for generations.
If we could live in a world where there is no trouble, no difficulties, no conflicts, no difficult circumstances, no worrying situations - then maybe we could have peace.
But we live in this fallen, broken and sin sick world don’t we.
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Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “Have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:12-13: “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”
We are NEVER going to reach a place in this world where there will be no trouble
No difficulties No conflicts
(pause…) It’s never going to happen.
The circumstances of conflict and troubles will (sooner or later) invade our lives. And we will not be able to move away from them.
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But we can choose how we will deal with those circumstances… Psalm 34:14 tells us “Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”
What Kind of Peace should we pursue?
Jesus said in John 14:27: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
I preached on this verse a couple of weeks ago.
Let me remind you what kind of peace is the peace of Jesus.
It’s a peace where our hearts are not troubled.
It’s a peace where we are not afraid.
It’s not peace based upon what our circumstances are.
If our lives are going badly then we can be sad or angry.
If things are going well, then will are pleased.
That’s the peace the world of the world.
BUT the gift of peace from Jesus is different.
His peace is a promise from God.
A promise of His peace IN SPITE OF our circumstances.
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The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7 that God’s peace “exceeds anything we can understand” – it is a peace that doesn’t make sense to the world.
But there is a condition to this peace Phillipians 4:6-7 says: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Peace comes when we trust God. When we pray. When we commit our circumstances and situations to God in prayer. When we thank Him for what He has done, is doing, will do, then we experience peace.
Perfect Peace.
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The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells us that perfect peace is a promise of God to His people.
Isaiah 26:3-4 says You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Are your thoughts fixed on your problem or on the Lord God?
Perfect peace comes when our thoughts, our trust is in the eternal Rock, not in our selves, not in others, not in the opinions or philosophies of the world, in God alone.
King David said in Psalm 62
2 God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
7 He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8: O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
To experience perfect peace we need to fix our thoughts on Jesus.
God has blessed each of us with the ability to think.
We can let our thoughts lead us into a place of despair or we can choose to let our thoughts lead us to the place of refuge, the place of salvation, the place of perfect peace.
God knows what we think about,
God knows what troubles our minds,
God knows what can take us away from His place of perfect peace.
We need to remember that Jesus is Saviour, Healer, Baptiser and Coming King.
We need to lift up our eyes, our hearts, our thoughts to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
We need to trust in His perfect will, His perfect plan, His purpose then we will experience His perfect peace.
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Let me ask you a question. Be honest with God and yourself as you answer it.
On your way to church today, what was on your mind? What occupied your thoughts?
Were your thoughts on your troubles, trials, circumstances and situations?
Or were you thinking about the blessed freedom you have to come and praise and worship your God?
Let me put it another way, this morning are your thoughts fixed on the one who gives perfect peace?
Friends, God fully aware of our situations and we can trust Him in everything.
Jesus has generously given us His gift of peace.
His perfect peace is sufficient for every part of our lives.
His perfect peace can calm every storm in our lives.
God is interested, God does care, God is able to meet every need in this life.
We need to fix our thoughts on Him.
We need to trust Him.
You need to fix our thoughts on Him.
You need to trust Him.
I need to fix my thoughts on Him.
I need to trust Him.
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Remember the words of Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
What’s on your mind today?
Is it positive or negative?
Does your thinking need to be transformed so that you can experience real peace, perfect peace?
Will you allow the peace of God to transform your thoughts and transform your life?
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Let me close with this:
Isaiah 26:3-4 says You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
and Isaiah 26:12 extends this promise: Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you.
Both of these verses can encourage and inspire us this morning.
These verses are affirm the relationship we have with God, they affirm the Peace God’s people can know and experience.
In this world we will encountered hardships,
we will encounter difficulties,
we will encounter circumstances and situations,
BUT God will grant us peace, He can keep us in perfect peace when we place our thoughts, our trust in Him.
God is able to keep YOU in perfect peace, when YOUR mind is fixed and committed to God.
Your life may not be an easy life.
You may experience danger and disaster.
But in eveything you encounter in this life,
you can place your faith and trust in Jesus.
God is in control and He has the power and strength to bring peace and rest.
In our own strength we can do nothing, all we think we have accomplished is actually God at work.
Friends, let me encourage you to rely on God, rely on His promises, rely on His Word, rely on the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
Let God transform the way you think.
Let God renew your mind.
Let God bring your thoughts to a place of perfect peace and rest.
You can experience perfect peace today.
Fix your thoughts on the God whose is able.
Allow Him to do that which you cannot do yourself.
This morning, thank God that He is able to give each of us perfect peace regardless of our circumstances.
Thank God that He has promised to keep you in perfect peace and focus your thoughts on Him.
Receive the blessings that God has given you through Jesus Christ and in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
God will keep you in perfect peace when you trust in Him, when you fix your thoughts on Him!
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is your eternal Rock.
Lets pray.
